With the Cine Vivo Perth Independent Latino Film Festival already well on the way, we thought we’d take a look through the rather comprehensive program (at 100 pages, with articles about this year’s theme of migration, it’s worth a read if you have the time), and see what the festival has to offer in the next few weeks. With food, music, and both short and feature length films showcasing the various countries of Latin America, there is a lot to look forward to.

Chilean Night (November 16)Jaar, The Lament of Images is a full length documentary about artist Alfredo Jaar’s creative process. Jaar’s work addresses some of the main issues of our time, from the Rwandan genocide to immigration on the USA-Mexico border. Also screening will be the short film Violetta: More Alive Than Ever. There will also be live music from Nico Bahamonde, celebrating Chilean folk music and Violetta Parra.

Colombian Night (November 17)
The only comedy of the festival, and it’s looking to be a black one, as a small town stands against a priest refusing to offer mass for a suicide victim in The Bribe of Heaven. That small town motif will be continued in the short film Palenque, which looks at the first town in the Americas to have broken free of European domination. Imperio Latino Sound will be creating a fiesta atmosphere, with cumbia luring people onto the dance floor.

Peruvian Night (November 23)
A father/ son drama, Retablo rated a special mention at the Berlin Film Festival and won the Best First Feature award at Toronto’s LGBT Insideout Film Festival. The Daniel Sunsair Ensemble will be providing Afro-Peruvian rhythms for the night.

Brazilian Night (November 26)
Not entirely unexpectedly music and dance take pride of place on this night. From the samba battles of Azougue Nazaré, to the celebration of Bosa Nova Baby, this is certainly one to get you on your feet.

With Cine Vivo running till December 8, there’s certainly a lot more to look forward to. From the Latino Short Film Festival (November 30) to the Family Day Free Event at City Beach (December 2), it’s worth keeping an eye out for more.

Cine Vivo runs till December 8. For tickets and further details, visit the Cine Vivo Independent Film Festival website.